Boiler tube cleaning apparatus



4 Sheets-Sheet l nvefvvtofb 6T C VEN/VUM.

NM QQ mi. i H Q\ G. C. VENNUM Filed July 29, 1921 Aug. 4, 1931;

norma TUBE CLEANING APPARATUs Aug. 4, 1931.

G. C. VENNUM B/O-ILER TUBE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1921 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AAug. 4, 1931. G. -c. vENNuM I 1,817,278

BOILER TUBE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1921 '4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FR9 60 58 l, 52 O 56 6a 6 20 www Aug. 4, 1931. G. c. VENNUM l BOILER TUBE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Ju1y129, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet` 4 -maar :g1/wanton Nh WQ WQ v GN Y &

Patented ug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE CARL VENNUM, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO DAMOND POWER SPECIALTY CORPORATION, OF BEUET, MCI-GN, .A CEPIPORTEON OF MICHIGAN BOILER TUBE CLEA Application filed July 29,

The present invention relates to steam blowing apparatus for cleaning the tubes of steam boilers, and more particularly to such apparatus for cleaning the tubes of steam boilers of the Water tube type.

V which Figure 1 is a plan View, partly in section, of a portion of a steam boiler, with an apparatus applied thereto embodying the features l of the invention in their preferred form, certain parts of the apparatus being shown dia grammatically for the sal/re of clearness;

Figs. 2 and 3 are detail sectional elevations taken on the lines 2-2 and 3-3, respectively, of Fig. l; Y I

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion ci the parts of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. e; Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevation taken ,on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of arportion of the apparatus, illustrating particularly a ksteam blowing nozzle, actuating mechanism therefor, and means including a valve for controlling the passage of steam to the nozzle;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 8*8k of Fig. `7

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation taken on he line 9-9 of Fig. 7 illustrating particularly V kthe nozzle valve in open position;

Fig. 10 is a view similar toFig. 9 but with the valve shown closed;

Fig. 11 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 8'; and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatical view .of an RING APPARATUS 1921. Serial No. 483,454,

electrical system for controlling the operations or". certain parts of the apparatus.

The steam boiler illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings is et a common water tube type having a boiler wall 2 in which are mounted spaced cylindrical drums 4, from each of which leads a set or" water tubes 6. The boiler tube cleaning apparatus as illustrated is provided with a series of steam blowing devices 8, which are arranged in three groups 10,12 and 14, there being three steam blowing devices in each group. The three groups of steam blowing devices are arranged to severally operate on the three sets of boiler tubes. Each steam blowing device is )rovided with an elongated cylindrical cleaner element 16, which extends through and is adapted to oscillate in a horizontal aperture in the boiler wall 2 and the portion of the nozzle extending within the boiler wall is provided with a series of discharge nipples 18 on one side. The steam blowing devices of each group are so arranged that the outer elements extend adjacent opposite sides of the associated section of boiler tubes, while the intermediate cleaner element may extend approximately through the center of the section `of boiler tubes. During the passage of steam through the elements, they are given an oscillating movement which insures that the jets of steam from the nipples 18 will act uniformly on all of the tubes of a section throughoutI their length. Each steam blowing device is also provided with a junction box 2O (Fig. 7 in which is contained mechanism for oscillating the cleaner element, and through a portion oic which steam is supplied to the element. The mechanism for actuating the element comprises a tube 22 which extends through and is j ournaled in bearings in the rear wall ot the junction box and in a vertical partition 24- within the junction box. The tube 22 is connected with the element through a flexible coupling 26, which comprises a flexible sleeve having a flange on one end which is clamped between a flange 28 formed on the rear end of the tube 22, and a clamping collar 3() which is secured to the flange 28 by bolts 32; and the other endfof the flexible sleeve is provided with a flange that is clamped between a flanged collar 84 secured on the cleaner element and a clamping collar 36 which is secured to the flange collar 34 by bolts 38. The flexible coupling 26 permits the cleaner element to be displaced slightly out otV alinement with the tube 22 and` .also allows the tube to be adjusted circumferentially, by loosening the clampingv bolts 38, to vary the direction in which/its line of discharge nipples is directed.

The mechanism for oscillating each cleaner elementcomprises a gear 40 which is secured on the tube 22 adjacent the inner Y side of the rear wall of the junction box,

which gear engages a pinion 42 journaled on a stud shaft 44 secured tothe rear wall ot the junction box.V The gear 40 and pinion 42 are adapted to be alternately engaged by an internal gear segment 46 formed on a gear wheel 48 which is arranged eccentrically of the tube 22 and journaled on a collar or flange 50 projecting l25-.from the partition 424. The internal gear segment 46 as shown extends slightly less than half way around thegear wheel48. With this construction it will be apparent that during one revolution of the gear wheel 48 the gear segment 46 will lirst engage the pinion 44 to rotate `the cleaner element a part of 'one revolution inr one direction and then will disengage from the pinion 42 and engage the gear Yto rotate the cleaner s-element a part of one revolui ion in the op.-

posite direction to its initial position. The gear wheel 48 driven through speed reducing vgearing by an electric motor 52 mounted on theuoutside ofthe junction box. This 4g j gearing comprises a pinion 54 carried by a shaft 56 which extends through and isf journaled in bearings in opposite walls ofv A gear y58 is secured to the Vforward end of the shaft 56, whichgear engages a pinion 60 carried by ashaft 62 the junction box.

having kone end journalcd in a bearing in wall ofthe 'junction' box and its other end projecting through a bearing in a bracket 64. A worm Wheel 66 is secured tothe.

;., projecting end of the shaft 62 and engages a lwor1n68 carried by the shaft ofthe motor 52,

-Steam is supplied to the cleaner element 16 through a steam chest 7 0 which is formed 5'5.in the junction box bythe partition 24. A

valve l72k is providedI for vcontrolling communication between the lcleaner element 16 andthe steam chest 70, which valve closes Y communication between the element and theA steam chest when the element'is at rest and opens` communication between the element and the steam chest when the element is oscillated. This valve is formed on the lower end of a depending lever 74 pivoted'at 76 6.3.' ona segmental arm 78 formed on theforward end of the tube 22, having its upper' end forked. lVhen the cleaner element is at rest the valve is held closed asshown in Fig. 10 by the engagement'of the forked end of the valve lever with a pin 80 projecting inwardly from the forward wall of lthe junction box. At the start, however, of an oscillating movement of the cleanerelement, a prong 82 ofthe forked end of the valve lever, by engagement with the.' stop pin 80,

swings the lever in the directionto open the valve and the valve is held openby gravity during the remaining portion of the 'oscillating movement of the tube 22, thisniovement of the valve lever being limited by the engagement of the valve end thereof lwith :a

stop pin 84 carried by the segmental arm V78. Near the end of the return movement of the cleaner, a prong 86 on the forked end of the. valve lever 74 engages the pin 80 to vswing the valve lever'in a direction to close the f valve, the valve again being held closed by the engagement of the vforked end of theV valve lever with the pin 8O.vr v'llhevalve is heldin close sliding engagement withthe face of the segmental .arm 78, which face constitutes a valve seat, by a ilange 88 i formed onv the arm engaging the outer face of the valve. The `valve is inthe forni of a disk and isof slightly greater' diameter than the axial bore of the tube 22. Itfwill be apparent that because of the vdifference in levera ve between the forked and the valve end of the valve lever 'Z4 the valve will be opened and closed quiciily so that there will be very little loss 'of steam, and yet, because of the circular shape of the valve and valve opening, the start of they opening of the valve will be comparatively gradual which enables the steam to fill the cleaner element supply pipe 94 which,1as shown, is connected with one ofthe boiler drums 4.k j

Communication is controlled between the4 branch pipes 92 and the main supply pipe'94 V by valves 96, a` valve being asscciated with each branch pipe. ch valve is provided with a valve stern 98 (Fig. 4) which is urged downwardly to close v the valve by a springL 100 coiled about the stem and interposed between a collar 102 on thesteni, the topV of a spider 104 through .an aperture.4 .in

and 2)..with a branch sup- *li 1 @-166 v branch supply pipes92 lead fromV a mainA speed reducing gearing.

which the valve stem extends and is guided.

The valves '96 are independently controlled by means of bell cranks pivoted at 106 on the spiders 104. v Each bell crank is 1 provided with a horizontally extending arm 108 arranged to engage the under side of the valve stem collar 102, and is further provided with a vertically extending arm 110 arranged to be engaged by a cam 112 f carried by an elongated shaft 114, therebeing a separatecam for each bell crank and the three cams being equallyv spaced about the shaft-114. The shaft 114 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, and each cam is so shaped that it acts positively on the associated bell crank to first crack or slightly open theY valve to permit the steam to lill the pipes thereby avoiding shock,and then if to quickly open the valve wide and hold 1t open through a'predetermined period. Such cracking of the valve a sufficient length of time to enable the steam to fill the pipes before the valve is opened wide, is of considerable practical importance in an apparatus of this character, as serious damage would be llikely to result to partsof the apparatus if the valve were openedv widehin the first instance. The valve is opened wide immediately after a sufficient amount of steam has been admitted to fill the pipes so that there is very little if any loss of steam during the opening of the valve. kThe cam then permits the valve to close quickly so that there will be very little loss of steam, but to prevent the valve from pounding or closing with a shock thev arm 110 of each bell crank has a curved extension 116 so formed as to drag across the receding face 4 of the cam, thus slightly retarding the quick release of the cam at the end 'of its effective operation.V The cam shaft 114 is jour- Vnaledin bearings in brackets 118 and is driven byan electric motor 120 through Thisgearing comprises a worm wheel 122 secured on one end of the cam shaft 114 which engages a worm 124 formed on one end of acountershaft 126. The shaft 126 extends' through and is jour-l naled in bearings in brackets 128, and the other end of the shaft 'carries a worm wheel 130 whichvengages a worm 132 formed on the shaft of the motor 120. f

The electric controlling system illustrated Tin Fig. 12 comprises a timing device associated with the electric motor 120 which Vthrows the apparatus into operation atl predetermined intervals, the apparatus being automatically thrownv out of operation at the completion of a cycle of operations thereof, and each cycle of operations taking place during each rotation of the cam shaft 114. This timing device comprises a contact-ringy 134 arrangedV at one side of a stationary disk 136 and provided with pin contacts '138 extending through the disk which are Vadapted to be successively engagedby a switch arm 140 which is rotated at a predetermined slow speed about a center 142 by any'suitable timing mechanism. Upon engagement of the switch arm 140 with one of the pin contacts 138 a circuit is closed through a conductor 144 leading from an electric source, a conductor 146, a relay 148, a conductor 150, contact ring 134, switch arm 140 and a return conductor 152 leadin to the electric source. The closing of this circuit energizes the relay 148 to close a circuit through a conductor 154 connected with the lead 144, a relay 156 and a conductor 158 connected with the return conductor 152. The closing of this circuit in turn energizes the relay 156 to close a circuit through a conductor 160 connected with the lead 144, the cam shaft driving motor 120,

the conductor 162 and a conductor 164 connected with the return conductor 152. Before the switch arm 140 has passed by this contact 138 these circuits have remained closed long enough to energize the motor 120 a suficient length of time to cause the cam shaft 114 to be rotated a sufficient number of degrees to bring a split contact ring 166 on a disk 168 carried by the cam shaft 114 into contact with a brush 170. The brush 170 is provided with two metal contact strips, one of which is connected by a conductor 172 with the relay conductor 154, andthe other of which is connected by a conductor `174 with the return conductor 152 so that a circuit containing the motor 120 is maintained closed by the engagement of the contact ring 166 with the brush 170 after the switch arm 140 passes by its pin contact, and this circuit remains closed until the space between the ends of the contact ring 166 is again brought into registry with the brush 170 which, of course, occurs substantially at the end of one rotation of the cam shaft 114. During such rotation of the cam shaft 114 a short ring contact 176 carried by the cam vshaft 114 engages a brush 17 8. The brush 178 is provided with two metal contact strips, one of which is connected with the lead 144 through the conductor and the other of which is connected through a relay 182 with the return conductor 152 so that a circuit is closed through this relay. This relay then acts to close a circuit through the electric motor 52 associated with the first one of the group of steam blowing devices 10, the circuit comprising a conductor 184 connecting the motor with the lead 144 and a conductor 186 leading through the relay 182 to the return-conductor 152. Before the ring contact 176 passes by the brush 178 the circuit through the relay 182 is maintained closed to energize the motor 52 a sufficient length of time to bring a split contact ring 188 carried by the internal gear wheel 48 of the steam blowing device (Fig. 1.1) vinto contact with a brush 190. The brush 190 is kprovided withtwo'metal contactfstrips, one of which is connected through a conductor 192 with the lead 144, and the other of which Vis connected through a lead 194 with the relay 182 so that a circuit is maintainedclosed through the relay 182to maintainv the Vmotor '52 in operation lafter the ring contact 176 passes vby the brush 178. This circuit remainsv closed until it is broken by the space `between the vends of the split' ring 188 again being brought into registry with the brush 190, which occurs near the endr of one rotation. of the internal gear wheel 48. Thus it will be apparent that the gearwheel of. the-first steam blowing device a short segmental contact ring 196 which,A

near the end of the rotation of the internal gear and the contact ring 188, is brought into engagement with a contact brush 198.

This brush is provided with two metal contact strips, one of which, is connected withV the lead 144 through the conductor 192,-V

and the other oi' which is connected through a conductor 200 andrelay 202with the return conductor 152 to complete a circuit through the relay 202. The relay then acts to close a circuit through the electric motor 52V associated with the next steam blowing device of the group 10 and before the conf tact 196 passes bythebrush 198 a split ring contact( 204 carried vby the internal gear wheel 480i this steam blowing device and corresponding vto the ring contact V188 is brought into contact with a brush 206. The

' brush 206 isprovided with two metal contact strips, ene' of which is connected through a conductor 208 with the main lead 144, andthe other of which is connected through the relay 202v with the return-conductor 152 so that the circuit of the motor of the second vsteam blowing device of the group 10 is held closedatter the motor circuit ofthe. iirst steamr blowingA device .is opened. :Near the end of one revolution of the internal gear 48 of the second steam blowing'device thejspace between the `ends ofthe contactV ring 204 is brought into registrywith the brush 206 to open the circuit or"V the relay 202yand thence to open the Y motor circuit o'frthis steam blowingdevice.V

Justbeforethe endiof the operationoffthis steam blowing device, however, a short segmental contact ring 210 is brought intor contact withV a'contact brush 211 `to throw the the lead 144, and the other of whichis con-A nected through the conductor 212 and a relay 214 with the return conductor 152 so that a circuit is closed at this time to energi'ze the'relay 214. This relay then acts to'close a'circuit through themotor 52 of the last steam blowing device of the group 10 and before'the contactring210 passes by the-brush 211 a splitcontact ring 216 carried by the internal gear wheel 48 of this steam blowing vdevice is brought into contact with a brush 218. The brush 218 is provided with two metal contact strips, one of which is connected with the lead 144 and the other of which is connected with the relay'214 so that after the ycontacts 210 and 211l disengage the motor circuit `associated with the last steam blowing device of the group -10 is maintained closed until the space between the ends of the contact ring 216 has been brought into registry with the brush 218 at the completion of substantially one revolution of the internal gear wheel 48. Thus it will be apparent that upon the engagement of the contact 176 .carried 'by the cam shaft 114 with the brush 17 8y that the steam blowing devicesof 'the group 1() are successively operated, the supply valve 96 associated with this group of steam blowing devices being held open during thisY time. l g i In order to throw the group 12 of steam blowing devices into operation at the com pletion ofthe cycle-of operations of the group 10, and in order to throw the group 14 into operation at the completion of the cycle of operations of the group 12, ring contacts 220 and 222 are carried by the cam shaft 114 which arel connected with the electric'm'otorjs 52 of the groups 12 and'14, respectively, inthe same manner asV the ring contact 176 is connected with theI motors of the group 10, the ring contacts 220v and 222 engaging brushes 224, and 226, respectively, at the proper times. In Fig. 12' the electric connection between the group 10 of steam blowing devices and its contact ring 176 is illustrated but the 'electrical connec tions between the groups 12 and 14 and their contact rings are not; illustrated in this lig ure as 'such connections are obvious. lIn Fig. 1 yboxes for enclosing the relays of the circuits associated with thefgroups of steam 'and the ring contacts 176, 220,'.and-22L A be apparent that an automatically operated .apparatus is provided winch requires no attention on 'the part of an operator and which willv operate efiiciently with a minimum loss 0f steam irrespective of the size of the boiler kOr. the number yof sections of boiler tubes.

During a cycle of operations of the appa-- ratus all the sections of boiler tubes are acted upon uniformly throughout their eX- tent andv the soot is uniformly and eii'ec- .tively ,removed from the individual boiler Ltubes.v :The apparatus may be timed to operate at such intervals as may be necessary to maintainthe boiler tubes substantially free; from soot at all times.

Wliilefthe lfeatures described above are well adapted for use in connection with the type of boiler illustrated in the drawings, itis to be understood that, except as defined in the claims, certain features ofthe inven- `tion are not limited to use with a boiler of this type, as theymay be used in connection with-various types of both water tube and iire tube boilers.

,lVliatI claim is:

l. A boiler 'tube cleaning apparatus having inv combination a steam chamber, a cleaner element having an open end located in said.V chamber, means for imparting an oscillatory motion to the cleaner element, a sliding valve rfor closing the open end of the. cleaner element pivotally supported on said element, said valve having an actuating Varm for moving it over the open end of the element, `and means in the steam chamber coactingu'ith said arm to open and close the valve asthe element oscillates. v

2. A lboilertube cleaning apparatus having, in combination, a steam supply, a

'cleaner element having its inner end open, means for imparting an oscillating movenient to said cleaner element, and a sliding valve mechanism for controlling communication between the open end of the cleaner element andthe steam supply comprising a -plate at the inner end of the cleaner element arranged to oscillate with the cleaner element, a depending leveipivoted on the plate having one arm forked and its other .arm provided with a valve for said open end ofthe cleaner element in sliding engagement with the face of the plate, and means comprising a Vstop co-,operating` with the forked arm of the lever to hold the valve closed while the clean-er element is at rest,

`to swing the lever in a directionv to open the valve at the start of an oscillating movement of the cleaner element and to swing the lever in a direction to close the valve at the end of the oscillating movement of the cleaner element.

3. A boiler tube cleaning apparatus having in combination a steam chamber, a soot blower' tube having an open end located in said chamber, means for imparting an oscillatory motion to the blower tube, a sliding valve for closing the open end of the blower tube pivotally supported thereon, said valve having an actuating arm for moving it over the open end of the blower tube, and a stop device in the steam chamber located in the path of said actuating arm and coacting therewith to open and close the valve as the blower tube oscillates.

4. A tube cleaner comprising a cleaner element, a stationary head within which one .I

end of said element turns, a valve in said head comprising a valve proper and a valve seat carried by said element, and means in said head coacting with said valve proper to move the latter when the element is turned.

5. A tube cleaner comprising a cleaner element, a head within which one end of said element turns, a valve in said head comprising a valve member and a valve seat carried by said element, and means in said head coacting with said valve member to move the latter to open and closed positions when the element is turned, said means comprising an arm connected to said valve mem` ber and a stop for moving said arm over which said arm is adapted to ride when said element is turned in a direction to open said valve.

'6. In a boiler cleaning apparatus the conn bination with a rotary blower unit anda steam supply conduit therefor, of a head assembly forming a connection between said conduit and blowerfunit, said assembly comprising a hollow head and a plate-like valve member encased within said head and slidably movable across the low of steam for controlling the supply of steam from said conduit to said blower unit,land means automatically controlled by the rotation of the blower unit for moving said plate-like valve member to control the flow of steam.v

7. In a soot blower, the combination with a stationary head of a cleaner element one end of which enters and is rotatively supported in the head, a valve in said head comprising a seat secured to the end of the cleaner element and a valve proper movable to open and close a port in the valve seat, means for turning the cleaner element so -as to properly distribute the cleaning fluid among the tubes and means for opening and closing the valve.

8. In a soot blower, the combination with a rotatable blower unit adapted to discharge to open and closed positions a-jet of cleaning fluid, of a valve member and cooperating seat Vmember for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said unit, one of said members being carried by said rotatable blower unit,l and a power transmitting device for actuating one of said members to `movethe same relative to said unit and for yrotating said unit.

9. In a soot blower, the combination withy 150 a rotatable blower unit adapted to discharge a jet of cleaning fluid, of a slide valve meniber and a' cooperating valve*` seat member -or-controllingthe. supply of cleaning fluid kto said unit, `one of said members being carried by said rotatable blower unit, al power transmitting device, and mechanism actuated by said power transmitting device to move one of said members relative to said unit to supply cleaning fluid tosaid unit and for rotating said unit. i

` 10. In a soot'blower, thecombination with Va cleanerelement, a stationary head within which one end of the 4cleaner element turns, ay valve member and a cooperating seat member for controlling the-'supply of cleaning fluid to lsaid cleaner element, saidmembers being located insaid headand one ot them being mounted on said element, means for `turning said element, and means voperable upon the actuation of said turning means to move one of said ymembers relative to `said cleaner element.

11. In a soot blower, the'. combination with a rotatable blower unit adapted to discharge le head comprising a valve proper and a valve seat carried by saidelement, and means coacting vwith'saidv valve proper to Ymove the latter to open" and closed element is turned` p f 13. In a. soot blower, the r'combination with a rotatableblower unit adapted to dis- .charge a jet of cleaning fluid, of a plate valve memberfand a cooperating valveseat member for controllingtlie supply'oii' cleaning fluidtov said unit, one of "said members being carried by lsaid rotatable blower unit,

La power transmitting device,A and mechanism actuated byV said power transmitting device to move one of said'members relative to vsaidblower unit to supply cleaningfluid to said unit vand Jfor rotatingsaid unit.

14. In a soot blower, the combination with a movable blower unitjadapted to discharge a )et vof cleaning fluid, of a valvel member .andaco'operating seat member Jor controlpositions when the' ling the supply of cleaning fluid to said unit, one of said members being carried by vsaid rotatable blower unit, means for moving said blower unit and means operable upon movement of said unit for moving one of said members relative to said unit to supply cleaning fluid to said unit.

15. A tube cleaner comprising a cleaner element, a stationary head within which one end of said element turns, a valve in said head comprising a valveproper and a valve seat carried by said element, and means including a member carried by said head coacting with said valve proper to move the W.

' discharge of cleaning Huid adjacent the surfaces to be cleaned, a source of supply of cleaning fluid for said blower tube, a stationary head located eXteriorly of the boiler in which the end of saidblower tube is jourfnaled, said stationary head forming a connection between said blower tube and said source of supply of cleaning fluid, v'a valve member located in said head for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said blower tube, a port formed inthe end of the blower tube with which said valve member engages,

and means to move said valve member out of engagement with the said port to uncover the port whereby cleaningv'fluid may be admitted to the blower tube.

17. In a boiler cleaner, a blower tube eX- tending adjacent the boiler heating surfaces and provided with a nozzle for the discharge of cleaning fluid, a source of supply of cleaning'uid7 a member located eXteriorly of the boiler inV which the open end of said blower tube is mounted, said member forming a connection between said blower tube and said source. of supply of cleaning fluid, a valve member located in said member and supported by the blower tube lfor controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said tube, a port formed in the end of the blower tube with which said valve member engages, and

.means to move the said yvalve member out of engagement with said port whereby cleaning fluid may be admitted to the blower u e. 1 18. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotary blower element and a valve forcontrolling the passage of cleaning fluid through said blower element, said valve being rotatable therewith, or" means for rotating said blower element,and means dependent upon rotation of said element for moving said valve relative to said blower element to open and close the same.

19. In a( boiler cleaner, a cleaner element mounted for oscillation, means limiting the oscillatory movement of said cleaner element to an'arc less than a full revolution, a. valve controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said element, means for oscillating said element and for moving said valve relative to said element to actuate the same, said means being adapted to eflect the opening and closing of said valve when the cleaner element is at one end of its arc of oscillation and to maintain the valve open while the cleaner element is at the other end of its arc of oscillation.

20. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotary blower tube mounted for right and left-hand rotation, of a valve controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said tube, means limiting rotation of said tube in its right and left rotative movements to an arc less than a full revolution, and means to rotate said blower pipe and to move said valve relative to said blower tube to unseat the same, said means being operable to open and close the said valve when the blower tube reaches the end of one direction of its aforesaid rotation and to maintain the valve unseated in the opposite limiting position of the blower tube.

2l. A tube cleaner comprising a movable cleaner element, a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said cleaner element comprising a valve proper and a valve seat carried by said element, and means coacting with said valve proper to move the latter to open and closed positions when the element is turned,

22. In a boiler cleaner, a blower tube having a nozzle for discharging a cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces of the boiler to be cleaned, a source of supply of cleaning fluid for said blower tube, a port formed in said blower tube, a valve member engaging said port for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid through the same, and means for actuating said valve member.

28. In a boiler cleaner, a movable blower tube having a nozzle for discharging cleaning fluid adjacent the surfaces of the boiler to be cleaned, a source of supply of cleaning fluid for said blower tube, a valve member movable with said blower tube for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to the same, a port formed in the end of the blower tube with which sain valve member engages, and means to move said valve member out of engagement with said port to uncover the port whereby cleaning fluid may be admitted to the blower tube.

24. In a soo'; blower, the combination with a movable blower unit adapted to discharge a jet of cleaning fluid, of a valve member and cooperating seatmember for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said unit, both of said members being carried by said movable blower unit, and means operable to actuate said valve and to move said unit.

25. In a boiler cleaning apparatus, the

combination with a rotary blower unit and a steam supply conduit therefor, of a head assembly forming a connection between said conduit and blower unit, said assembly coinprising a hollow head and a plate like valveI member encased within said head and slidi ably movable across the flow of steam for controlling the supply of steam from said conduit to said blower unit, and a common meansA for rotating said blower unit and moving said plate like valve member to control the flow of steam.

26. In a boiler cleaner, the combination with a rotatable blower tube having a jet for the discharge of cleaning fluid against the boiler surfaces to be cleaned, said blower tube having an inlet port, and means for rotating said blower tube, of a member supported by the blower tube Vand movable relatively thereto, means to move the saidw member to control the inlet port in said blower tube, said means being interconnected with the blower tube rotating means whereby the discharge of cleaning fluid is caused to take place during a predetermined period of the rotation of said blower tube.

27. In a boiler cleaner, the combination witha stationary member forming an inlet for supply of steam, of a rotary blower pipe arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis to direct the jets of steam against the surfaces to be cleaned, and a valve located substantially in alignment with the blower unit for controlling the supply of steam c thereto from the inlet, and means for automatically moving said valve away from the seat during a predetermined portion of the rotation of the blower unit.

28. In a boiler cleaner, the combination seat during a predetermined portion of the rotation of the blower unit, said means including a cam for positively forcing the valve away from its seat.

29. In a boiler cleaning apparatus, the combination with a rotatable blower unit and a cleaning fluid supplv conduit therefor, of a head assembly forming a connection between said conduit and said blower unit, said assembly including a hollow head and a valve member encased within said head and l` movable relative to said blower element for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid from said conduit to said blower unit, and means Within said head automatically controlled by the rotation of the blower unit for mov- Ilo ing said valvel member to control the flow of cleaning fluid to the blower unit.k

30. ln a tube cleaner, a rotatable blower element, a cleaning fluid supply pipe, :an

intervening head forming a chamber, valve within the said chamber controlling the flow of cleaning fluid from said supply `pipeV to said `blower element, operating f means for rotating the element, and an cleaning fluid withinV said fittingV urges said valve to its seat, and means operable upon rotation of said blower pipe to eflect a relative movement between said valve and inlet p oit to admit cleaning fluid to said blower a pipe. Y x Y f GEORGE CARL VENNUM.

operative connection for operating the valve located wholly within said chamber and adapted to open the valve asthe elementv is turned from its initial position ofV rest and to close. the valve on the reverse return movement, said valve being' arranged to remain open during the remaining rotation of' v the element. l l

3l. Ina boiler cleaner, the combination with a stationary member forming aninlet for supply of cleaning fluid, of a rotary blower pipe arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis to direct the jets ofv clean.-

ing fluid against the surfacesto be cleaned, i

a valve for controlling the supply ofcleaning fluid to the blower pipe from the inlet, said valve including a valve member and a valve seat member defining a port in axial alignment with the blower pipe, one of said members being secured to and rotatable with the blower pipe, and means for automatically effecting arelative movement between said members to admit cleaning fluid. to the blower pipe uponA rotation of the blower ing Vfluid against the surfacesto be cleaned,

a valve for controlling the flow of cleaning `fluid to said blower pipe from said, inlet comprising a yvalve member in aXial alignment with the blower pipe and a valve seat member secured to said blowerpipefand defining a port coaxialwith the. blower pipe,

and means for vautoi'natically effecting Va relative movement between said members upon rotation of theblower pipe to admi cleaning fluid tothe blower pipe.

p 33. In a boiler cleaner, a rotatable blower pipe provided with nozzles for the discharge of cleaning fluid adyacent'k the portions of the boiler tobe cleaned,a cleaning fluid f .A supply pipe for sai-d blower pipe, a vfitting forming a connectionbetween said-blower pipe and said cleaning fluidsupply pipe,

said blower pipe being provided with a portion journaled in said fitting, said portion beingvprovided with an inlet port, a valve within said fitting and engaging the inlet port in said blower pipe, said valve ybeing spaced from the inner periphery of .said fitting whereby the pressure of the 

